Is Milk Healthy For Breakfast?

Your Questions Answered by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Some are wondering whether milk is healthy for breakfast. What says breakfast better than cereal and cold, fresh milk? Sure, pancakes, eggs and bacon are pretty popular breakfast items, but what do you reach for on a busy morning to make sure the whole family is well nourished as they meet the challenges of the day? Cereal and milk.

But is milk healthy for breakfast? Here’s another question: does a cow say moo? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes.

A cup of milk contains 8 grams of protein, important for a feeling of satisfaction after a meal. Protein helps build bones, muscles and immune elements, and is essential to every cell in our bodies. But most Americans tend to get too little protein during the day, especially at breakfast, leading to that gnawing, 10 a.m. feeling of hunger.1

Milk also has nine essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, calcium and Vitamin D, nutrients that the USDA says Americans do not get enough of. Milk is also a good source of high-quality vitamin A, magnesium, phosphorus and several B vitamins.

Getting these vitamins and minerals first thing in the morning means you have a jump-start on your nutrient requirements for the day. Studies show that those who eat cereal and milk for breakfast regularly get more of the nutrients they need than those who don’t.2